spring 2014 wesleyan magazine

SEE. THINK. DO.

ways Texas Wesleyan is putting critical thinking at the forefront of education.3

OFFICIAL PU B LICATION OF TE X AS WESLE YAN U NIVERSIT Y SPRING 2014

{Contents1 Letter from Texas Wesleyan

President Frederick G. Slabach

2 Trending NOW Our latest points of pride

3 Rams in Focus

7 Alumni Spotlight Jeffrey Yarbrough ’85 has a Texas-sized passion for chicken fried steak

8 Top Tier Value The Ben Hogan Foundation and Texas Wesleyan partner to provide a unique combination of mentorship and scholarship

16 High Endeavors Photos from the Rosedale Renaissance groundbreaking, brick dedication and the Business Hall of Fame

19 Golf Alexis Belton goes the distance

20 Soccer Former Rams goalkeeper Dejan “Milo” Milosevic kicks off professional career

21 Athletics Student-athletes help beautify our campus

24 Alumni Stories Charles Willett ’66 recalls life at Wesleyan and a lifelong friendship

32 The Last Word Professor Carl Schrader makes a difference then and now

33 Applause The School of Arts & Letters honors its Distinguished Alumni

26 Alumni News

22 Alumni Message from Alumni Association President Karen Cole ’99 MBA ’04

28 Tribute Gift Recognition

29 In Memoriam

6 Alumni Spotlight Author Julie Murphy ’10 shares tips for budding writers

4 Faculty Spotlight Biology Professor Bruce Benz dishes on corn

5 Student Spotlight SGA President Kelsi Holland gets up close and personal

10 Cover StorySee. Think. Do. Texas Wesleyan students and faculty integrate critical thinking in the classroom and beyond

14 My Major Athletic training is one of the hottest majors in the country and Texas Wesleyan prepares students with hands-on practice

Look for this icon for video and other features connected with this article online.

WEB EXTRA

1TXWES.EDU Wesleyan {

Dear Alumni & Friends,Welcome to the spring 2014 edition of Wesleyan magazine. Spring brings to mind a time of renewal and rebirth, which, as many of you know, is exactly what is happening now at Texas Wesleyan.

It was my great pleasure to see students, community leaders, esteemed alumni, members of the board, faculty and staff rally together for the official Rosedale Renaissance groundbreaking last November. Together, we raised $6.7 million in capital to fund the project, and the transformation is now well underway. The project is revitalizing the University and East Fort Worth, and we hope you’ll continue to visit the campus during this stage of transformation.

We are making great strides toward our 2020 University Strategic Plan as well, a transformation and renewal that is not marked by orange cones and construction signs, but by student success stories and an increase in applications and admissions. We are creating a learning environment that cultivates critical thinking and prepares students for graduate school and professional careers. Last year, the University welcomed its largest and highest-performing class, and the University’s accreditation was reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, the highest possible accreditation for the University.

As our cover story exemplifies, critical thinking is one of the main pillars of our University. It is a skill we emphasize for the benefit of our students, faculty, staff, alumni and community. Critical thinking is what will help us transform our strategic plans for the future of the University into reality.

Thank you for your commitment to Texas Wesleyan’s renaissance. I could not be more pleased with the work we have achieved together, the work we are accomplishing, and what the future holds for our great University.

Sincerely,

Frederick G. Slabach President

PRESIDENT Frederick G. Slabach

EDITOR Ann Davis

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Nancy Bartosek Strini Elaine Sharpe Dave Ferman Darren White Josh Lacy

COPY EDITORS DESIGN Janna Franzwa Canard J.O. Marci Linn

PHOTOGRAPHY Chuck Greeson

OFFICE OF ADVANCEMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS 817-531-4404 | 817-531-7560 fax [email protected]

Wesleyan is an official publication for alumni and friends of Texas Wesleyan University. The Office of Marketing and Communications publishes it in the fall and spring. The views presented are not necessarily those of the editors or the official policies of the University.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Trista Allen ’98 Barry Baker ’84 Patsy Clifford ’55 Karen Cole ’99 MBA ’04, president Martha Cole ’62 Julie Croft ’98 Martha Earngey ’77, treasurer Brandy Gonzales ’97 Presley Hatcher ’74 Syndi Hillberry ’86, secretary David D. Martin MBA ’04, past president Gladys Moore ’73 Lisa Ramos ’06 MBA ’06 Glen Tuggle ’85, vice president Emily Milutin ’09 Jorge Vivar ’76 Kathy Walker ’97 Ben Younger ’63

EX-OFFICIO MEMBER Dr. Carl G. Schrader

TEXAS WESLEYAN STAFF Joan S. Canty, vice president for university advancement

Gina Phillips ’97 MS ’07, director of development and alumni relations

DeAwna Wood ’05, assistant director of alumni relations

John M. Veilleux MBA ’04, vice president for marketing and communications

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TRENDING NOWTHE LATEST FROM TEXAS WESLEYAN

YEARS OF TEXAS WESLEYAN’S THEATRE DEPARTMENT’S UNPARALLELED PRODUCTIONS

FOR NEW BUILDINGS AND STRUCTURES AS PART OF THE ROSEDALE RENAISSANCE CAMPAIGN

DEDICATED TO STREET IMPROVEMENTS ALONG EAST ROSEDALE (SLATED FOR COMPLETION IN 2014)

YEARS U.S. NEWS & WORLD REPORT HAS RANKED TEXAS WESLEYAN IN THE TOP TIER

OF REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES

STUDENTS NOW LIVING ON CAMPUS

393

AWARDED IN TOTAL FINANCIAL AID LAST YEAR

OF STUDENTS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS AND/OR GRANTS

OF 160 FULL-TIME FACULTY HOLD A DOCTORATE OR HIGHEST DEGREE IN THEIR FIELD

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS WON FOR TEXAS WESLEYAN’S “SMALLER. SMARTER.” CAMPAIGN

AVERAGE CLASS SIZE AT TEXAS WESLEYAN

WHERE TEXAS WESLEYAN RANKS IN TEXAS COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES FOR STUDENTS GETTING A LIFETIME RETURN ON INVESTMENT BY AFFORDABLE COLLEGES ONLINE

17

18

4

81%

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TOP 7%

$32 MILLION

$53 MILLION

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60

2011 + 2012 + 2013 + 2014 =

DORMsweetDORMsweet

Ramsin focusOne-year-old Katelynn Reed, great granddaughter of

Jack Morton ’43, enjoys a day of laughter and legacy in the building established in her family’s name at the

Brick Dedication Ceremony Oct. 19, 2013. The Jack and

Jo Willa Morton Fitness Center opened in 2010.

Photo by Chuck Greeson

We’ve moved!Visit the Office of Advancement and Alumni

Relations at our new home, located in the Oneal-Sells Administration Building. You can still contact us at

817-531-4404. Come by! We’d love to see you.

4 } Wesleyan SPRING 2014

As a kid growing up in North Dakota, Bruce Benz spent his summers on a farm that

produced small grains and cattle and wondering, as he puts it, “what we did to crops to get them to do what they do.”

In a lot of ways, Benz, who has been a biology professor at Texas Wesleyan since 1997, is still asking the same question. He has devoted much of his career since earning his doctorate in botany from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1986 to studying corn, or maize, and its interaction with people.

In doing so, he says, he’s asking fundamental questions about humanity.

“The human population has been dependent on grain and livestock for less than five percent of our time on earth,” Benz said. “Before that, we were predators and hunters and we became dependent on other organisms, and all of a sudden we became sedentary, literally and figuratively. So why did we domesticate the crops we did, when we did? Corn is such a useful crop and so readily manipulated — it’s different from other crops in our ability to change it.”

Which leads to a bunch of other questions that we asked — and Benz answered — about why corn is so important to today’s world.

So, why care about corn?“Maize is the second most important cereal on the planet. Products coming from this plant are more widely used than any other cultivated plant. Only rice is more important, but that’s only because more people eat it on a daily basis. Maize has the most genetically variable genome known.”

You are described as an ethnobotanist. What does that mean? “An ethnobotanist studies plants people use and the people that use them. My interest focuses on the domestication process and the impact of human use on plants that are modified for their desirable characteristics.”

What is the benefit of your research? “My research on maize has documented the rate of change over the last 5,000 years. It documented evolutionary-punctuated equilibrium, suggesting that maize could be effectively manipulated in a relatively short time.

Together with Michael Blake and others, we have documented the history of maize diffusion through the Americas, deciphering the impact of a staple cereal on the human biological and social milieu in pre-Columbian America. A book I co-edited/co-wrote with John Staller and Robert Tykot called Histories of Maize in Mesoamerica recounts the history and prehistory of maize and its impact on indigenous populations.”

As the population grows, how important will corn be for feeding the world’s people? “Maize directly feeds many people in the world and is the second most important cereal in the world because so many people depend on it for their daily ‘bread.’ Maize is different from other cereals in that maize provides raw material for a wide variety of products including high fructose corn sugar, which is one of the leading causes of obesity in the world. Corn will continue to feed the human population, the world’s domesticated livestock and the human race’s continuing love affair with the automobile.”

Learn more about Professor Benz at txwes.edu/engagingeducators

WEB EXTRA

The professor of biology dishes on corn, the growing world population and exactly what an “ethnobotanist” is.

By Dave Ferman | Photo by Chuck Greeson

Engaging Educators

Bruce Benz

Faculty Spotlight


Great minds … Kelsi is the Student Government Association president and a four-year University Scholarship recipient. While studying, preparing for graduation this spring and leading student government, Kelsi (in her spare time) is also busy interning with the Fort Worth Housing Authority and working for The Rambler student newspaper. She is a member of the Guardians of the Golden Shears, Cru, Gamma Phi Beta and other student-led organizations on campus.

Life ambition “I want to help the next generation succeed in life by administering counseling services to at-risk adolescents and youth. There are many great programs in the community to support children and teens, but someday, I want to start my own program. I want to be an advocate for children.”

What professor challenged you the most? “My sociology teacher, Dr. Sara Horsfall, who is now retired. She engaged me with social workers and taught me the importance of community counseling.”

What I wish I knew when I was a freshman “I wish I had known how important it is to volunteer. Volunteering on campus and in the community helps students discover their passions, which leads to smarter decisions about their course of study and career.”

Favorite book “The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks. I’ve read all his novels.”

Favorite movie “The Lion King”

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go? “Madagascar”

Favorite restaurant “Mama’s Pizza on Berry Street”

Best place for late night studying? “Ol’ South Pancake House on University Drive. Open late!”

Where do you envision yourself one year from now? “In a graduate school program working on a master’s degree in counseling.”

Who has been the most influential person in your life? “My mother. She has always been there for me and has always encouraged me to pursue my dreams.”

Favorite place on campus “The third floor of the West Library. It is so quiet up there.”

Favorite Texas Wesleyan memory “Ahhh … the first convocation I attended in the fall of 2010. I loved seeing the traditions, regalia and ceremonies.”

Watch Kelsi discuss her passion for sociology at txwes.edu/studysociology

What is your favorite Texas Wesleyan memory? Email us your favorite at [email protected]

Student Spotlight

WEB EXTRA

We sat down for a conversation with SGA President Kelsi Holland about her favorite Wesleyan moments, life aspirations and favorite study hideout.

By Ann Davis | Photo by Chuck Greeson

Critical Thinkers

Kelsi Holland

Name: Kelsi Holland Major: Sociology Year: Class of 2014 Hometown: Houston Interesting fact: Eldest of six children


A young alumna skipped a political career on the front page and set her sights on the bestseller list.

By Elaine Sharpe | Photo by Chuck Greeson

Movers & Shakers

Julie Murphy ’10

Julie Murphy ’10 came to Texas Wesleyan University to be a political campaign strategist and

speechwriter. Since graduating with a political science degree, she’s a successful writer — just not in the field she imagined.

Her debut novel, Side Effects May Vary, was published by HarperCollins’ Balzer + Bray in March 2014. The book is the story of a 16-year-old girl who sets out to right wrongs — however she sees fit — when she is diagnosed with leukemia.

Becoming a published writer right out of the gate? No problem.

“I took time and polished it,” Murphy said. “Around February 2012, I decided to start querying agents and I found one.”

Murphy also has another novel, Dumplin’, in the works for publication in 2015. The story is about a girl from the South who decides to overthrow her mother’s beauty pageant.

We asked Murphy what it takes to make it as a writer — and took some notes for ourselves, too.

Murphy’s tips for writersBe original “Pursue the art or the novel that you want to read but haven’t found on the shelves. Create the thing that you want to connect to but haven’t found.”

Be persistent “You have to be persistent. Even when your book isn’t working or people are telling you no, you have to keep going, because if you stop, you’re telling yourself no. Once you stop, there’s no one stopping you but yourself.”

Don’t compare yourself to others “Understand that writing books is not a one-size-fits-all career. You’re going to create your own rules and create your own hours, and you can’t compare yourself to others, because you’re going to see that someone writes a book in two weeks and someone else writes a book in six weeks.

That’s not the point of writing. The point of writing is creating your own rules and your own environment where you feel comfortable and your creativity can flourish.”

Overcome writer’s block “If I sit at a computer and I don’t know what I’m going to do or if I don’t have a scene in mind, it usually means that I’m just going to bum around on the internet for six hours. My cure for writer’s block is to get up from the computer and

to ignore my cellphone and all these different things, and to absorb all the things that inspire me.”

Replenish the well “Creativity is a well, and when you’re writing a novel or working on a piece of art or coding a website or whatever it is that you do with your life, you’re drawing from the well. As you finish projects or complete deadlines, you’re going to find that the well is lower and lower.”

Alumni Spotlight


When Jeffrey Yarbrough ’85 graduated from Texas Wesleyan with a marketing degree, he never dreamed of owning his own agency. He also never dreamed of being known as the “chicken fried steak guy.” Flash forward a few decades, and not only is his public relations, marketing and real estate agency, bigInk, celebrating 10 years of turning his clients into rock stars, but he’s also the driving force behind the creation of Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day.

As a former president of the Texas Restaurant Association and the International Foodservice Editorial Council, Yarbrough has seen his share of food-driven holidays.

“What I didn’t see is something that really shines for the great state of Texas,” Yarbrough said. “Chicken fried steak has been cooked for decades all across the state by many different people and groups, and I thought we should honor the dish that is truly ours.”

After a two-year journey of fighting through red tape and excuses, Yarbrough found an advocate for the chicken fried holiday in state Rep. Ralph Sheffield (R-Temple), and the dream began to take shape. Now, every Oct. 26, Texans can officially celebrate the soul food of their great state.

With a Texas-sized passion for chicken fried steak, it’s only natural that Yarbrough would have a few favorite places to indulge in the dish. Whether you like it pan fried or deep-fried, east or west of the Trinity, here are a few spots Yarbrough recommends:

Fort WorthParis Coffee Shop – “It’s a landmark restaurant where you can see generations of grandfathers, fathers and sons eating together. Combine the rich history of the dish with the rich history of the cafe and you have something special.”

Fred’s Texas Cafe – “You’ll want to sit inside the cafe, not on the patio, when you experience the chicken

fried steak. The old booths, the snarky servers — it’s got a great Fort Worth vibe.”

Lucile’s – “It’s a nontraditional recipe that they’ve been cooking for a long time. It has all the great elements of chicken fried steak, but it’s different. The preparation goes back to chuck wagon cooking.”

Reata – “It’s a different cut of meat with chef-quality presentation that you can easily pair with a great glass of wine.”

Star Cafe – “Located in the heart of Cowtown, it’s the prime place to go in Fort Worth to eat chicken fried steak with a real-life cowboy.”

DallasBone Daddy’s House of Smoke – “It’s not somewhere you’d first expect to have a really great chicken fried steak, but D Magazine named it as one of the best.”

Matt’s Rancho Martinez – “Get it served ‘cowboy-style’ with chili, cheese and onions and you can’t go wrong.”

AllGood Cafe – “It’s a classic Dallas spot known for its chicken fried steak.”

Haystack Burgers & Barley – “Haystack has a chicken fried steak burger. It’s the perfect amount of steak on a buttery bun with gravy. Highly recommended.”

MAX’s Wine Dive – “MAX’s serves their version at brunch with waffles. Need I say more?”

Movers & Shakers

Jeffrey Yarbrough ’85By Elaine Sharpe | Photo courtesy of bigInk PR

Photo courtesy of Brian Olenjack, Olenjack’s Grille in Arlington

7 TXWES.EDU Wesleyan {

Alumni Spotlight


The Modern Fundamentals ofOpportunity

Texas Wesleyan teams with the Ben Hogan Foundation to create a one-of-a-kind scholarship opportunity.

What happens when two institutions with Texas-sized reputations join

forces? The lives of five deserving students get changed in a Texas-sized way.

Beginning in fall 2014, Texas Wesleyan University and the Ben Hogan Foundation will partner to provide annually renewable, four-year scholarships to candidates from The First Tee of Fort Worth.

What started as the brainchild of a few alumni and the leaders of the Ben Hogan Foundation evolved from a simple scholarship opportunity to a complete college experience that will not only cover the full cost of tuition, fees and books for the recipients, but also provide a mentor to the students throughout their time at the University.

Jerry Wood ’69, a member of the Texas Wesleyan Board of Trustees, along with Randy Jacobs ’80 and Gary Frankenfield ’71, combined with Robert Stennett, executive director of the Ben Hogan Foundation, to work out the details of the program and turn it into a reality.

“We are proud to partner with two great organizations, the Ben Hogan Foundation and First Tee of Fort Worth, to provide full scholarships to deserving students,” President Frederick G. Slabach said. “At Texas Wesleyan, our ‘Smaller. Smarter.’ approach will help these motivated students use the lessons they’ve learned in First Tee to thrive in college.”

Committed to education The partnership, which was announced by Slabach and Stennett in November at the Ben Hogan Breakfast Club event at Colonial Country Club, has an initial value of approximately $400,000 and represents the largest privately funded scholarship program at the University and the Ben Hogan Foundation. It also validates the missions of both organizations as they strive to provide need-based assistance within the Fort Worth community.

“Even though Mr. Hogan was not able to pursue his education, it was always something he recognized as very important,” said Stennett. “As a result, providing scholarships for deserving youth has always

Lance Barrow, producer for CBS Sports, and Robert Stennett, executive director of the Ben Hogan Foundation

Photos by Chuck Greeson

By Elaine Sharpe


been one area in which Mr. Hogan’s foundation has focused.”

Under the terms of the agreement, each organization will cover 50 percent of the cost of the annually renewable scholarships for a full four-year period. First Tee will select the candidates, and a review committee comprised of representatives from the foundation and the University will award the scholarships.

Two students will be awarded scholarships in the first year of the program, and one recipient will be selected in each of the following years.

More than just financial aid The scholarship program will also pair students with a mentor from the Ben Hogan Foundation to provide career guidance and help ensure positive results.

“This is our opportunity to involve a prominent citizen within the community to assist the young person with school,” said Stennett. “It involves patrons of the foundation, lets them see the good things that occur with the money they donate and it creates a relationship between the mentor and the student that will benefit that young person for the rest of his or her life.”

Mark Kalpakis and Dean Williams, both leaders in the oil and gas industry, will serve as mentors to the first two scholarship recipients.

“You’re not only getting involved financially, you’re getting involved emotionally,” said Kalpakis. “You’re helping with your time and as a person to mentor this young adult not only to earn a college education, but to go on and do good things and possibly return that someday to the community.”

Williams, who was a first-generation college student, can specifically relate to the need for support that a program like this can offer.

“Just to have encouragement and somebody who has gone to college and gone through that experience — just to have support when you

have down times or issues — to have somebody to talk to is a great opportunity.”

Students who are ready to succeed So how will the lessons learned from golf and First Tee benefit the scholarship recipients once they’re on campus? Stennett sees a perfect symmetry between the principles of golf and success at Texas Wesleyan.

“We like the relationship with First Tee because their core values are also what Mr. Hogan stood for,” Stennett said. “When you talk about Ben Hogan, you talk about perseverance and integrity and honesty. All of those things as core values of a young person, whether he or she is at First Tee or in business or a student at Texas Wesleyan, are going to make him or her a successful and productive young person within the community.”

President Slabach agrees and believes that having the scholarship recipients on campus is going to benefit the University in a number of ways.

“The First Tee is an amazing opportunity for kids to learn life lessons through golf,” Slabach said. “Many of those lessons they learn through First Tee are the kinds of things we think will help them thrive here at Texas Wesleyan. Our ability to provide individualized attention in the small class sizes that we offer is going to be key to making this work.

These are going to be really motivated, very energetic students. Having them on our campus is going to provide a real benefit to us not only inside the classroom, but also in terms of their involvement in student life.

A point of pride “This venture between the Ben Hogan Foundation, First Tee of Fort Worth and Texas Wesleyan will change lives,” Stennett said. “It is a partnership that would make Mr. Hogan very proud.”

Slabach is also proud of the partnership and a foundation designed to honor the memory of such a phenomenal individual.

“The fact that the Hogan Foundation will partner with Texas Wesleyan on something as important as this shows that Texas has a real appreciation for what we’re doing,” Slabach said. “This partnership with the Ben Hogan Foundation is quite a feather in Texas Wesleyan’s cap.”

Top Tier Value

University officials and special guests enjoyed breakfast as the partnership and scholarship details were announced.

Texas Wesleyan President Frederick G. Slabach at the partnership announcement.


SEE.THINK.DO.Critical thinking . . . it’s the difference between hearing and listening. It’s the difference between memorizing and remembering.

It’s the difference between innovating and “I dunno.”

Critical thinking has taken over at Texas Wesleyan. From teacher workshops that journey into the “heart of critical thinking” to milestones in the University’s strategic plan, Texas Wesleyan is shaking up the “traditional college

education” by using its small class sizes to develop real skills and real opportunities for its students.

Critical thinking is happening at Texas Wesleyan — in the classroom, yes, but also out of the classroom, where students are getting real opportunities to learn and apply real skills. There aren’t enough pages to cover everyone who is changing the world, but here are a few that are making a big impact.

GREAT IDEAS cOmE fROm GREAT mINDS. TEXAS WESlEyAN fAculTy AND STuDENTS ARE cREATING A BETTER fuTuRE THROuGH cRITIcAl THINKING.

SEE.THINK.DO.


Starting in fall 2014, Texas Wesleyan University will begin offering a doctorate in marriage and family therapy.

Students won’t just take notes in the classroom; they’ll interact closely with some of the best and brightest in their field.

“A Ph.D. speaks to your credibility and gives you more clout within the counseling community,” Linda Metcalf, professor of graduate counseling, says.

The program will build on the success seen in graduate counseling programs, and it will provide seminars where students will be exposed to master family therapists from around the world. Pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), this degree will lead students through the design and research of projects that are intervention based, providing new strategies for working with families and couples.

Graduates of the Ph.D. in marriage and family therapy will go on to serve as supervisors to master-level counselors, guide students as professors in higher education, take the lead in agencies and hospitals utilizing medical family therapy, and further research in this ever-changing field.

– DARREN WHITE

Learn more about Texas Wesleyan’s new marriage and family therapy program at txwes.edu/phd

AS TEXAS WESlEyAN mOvES fORWARD,

IT’S cREATING pROGRAmS

cENTERED ON cRITIcAl THINKING.

Cover Story


WEB EXTRA

lINDA mETcAlf, pROfESSOR Of GRADuATE cOuNSElING Photo by Chuck Greeson


Photography class has moved far beyond the darkroom, and one Texas Wesleyan professor is helping her students move forward on a global level.

Associate Professor of Art Terri Cummings’ students use Flickr, an online photo management and sharing application, to expand the classroom and add a new dimension to their photography experience.

By sharing their photos, her students will not only be assuming a greater responsibility for their work, but they will be encouraged to think critically by starting discussions and engaging with others in the Flickr community.

AllOWING TImE TO DEvElOp The Flickr assignment comes late in the semester, which allows students to develop their photography skills before sharing their work online.

“The initial pics I have them do are purposefully designed not to be any good,” Cummings said. “So the next thing we do is separate the difference between a snapshot and a photograph. Then we send them back out with an understanding of aperture and depth of field and shutter speed and motion.”

Once that phase is complete, Cummings will start incorporating social media into her assignments. She has two goals she hopes to accomplish through the use of Flickr.

“They’ll be assuming the mantle of responsibility for their images to a broader audience. It’s not ‘our little secret’ between the student and the teacher or the class with a small critique.”

Her students will also be required to find and comment on other images from across the world and start at least one gallery that incorporates the work of other Flickr users.

“Essentially they’re curating and thinking through what these things are,” Cummings said.

WHy flIcKR? Cummings looked at several different social media options, including Instagram, before choosing Flickr. She wanted her students to work with a rectangular format for their photos, but she also wanted them to present their work in a more professional setting.

“Instagram, with all the filters, seemed more playful than business-like,” Cummings said.

With Flickr, students have their photos linked directly to creative comments, but they’re also able to license their own work and learn the ethical use of other people’s images.

“The other aspect I liked in terms of a professional link is the connection with Getty Images,” Cummings said. “Every few months they can put forth 10 images for Getty to consider taking into their photo banks.”

With Flickr, her students are going to be thinking critically about photography, establishing themselves in a professional context and expanding their global interaction.

“They’re training themselves to look at other people’s images, not just creating their own. They’re also building a broader context of critique and professional networking.”

– ElAINE SHARpE

Learn more about Terri Cummings at txwes.edu/cummings

TERRI cummINGS IS fOcuSING pHOTOGRApHy ON THE fuTuRE.

TERRI cummINGS BRINGING pHOTOGRApHy INTO THE

SOcIAl mEDIA AGE. Photos by Chuck Greeson

WEB EXTRA


lEAN lEARNING BIz pROjEcT WAS A cASE STuDy IN REAlITy. Being efficient as possible is the crux of lean manufacturing, so Trisha D. Anderson, assistant professor of management, brought a real-world project into the classroom last spring to give her students direct experience with the production practice.

The 30 juniors and seniors in her operations course split into groups to solve a production problem for Berkshire Hathaway-owned electronics distributor TTI, Inc. The project not only gave TTI valuable information, students also got a real-world lesson in critical thinking.

“To complete the project, the students had to understand exactly how the components fit together, which meant they had to ask the right questions,” Anderson says. “That’s where the critical thinking came in. Only one group really got it right because they asked the right questions.”

The successful group of five not only got it right, they got to present their report to TTI executives, who were impressed by the students’ work.

Anderson says that students found it very challenging because they had to think far beyond the information they were given — a situation that encouraged them to stretch and build their problem-solving skills.

Of course, sometimes you can learn just as much — if not more — by getting it wrong than you might by getting it right.

“The students who were successful really appreciated the challenge,” she says. “Others, not so much. Though those students might actually have learned the most.”

This spring, the operations class will tackle a data problem for Hilton Worldwide.

“I’ve been working on connections with various companies so the students will have more of these kinds of experiences,” Anderson says. “Critical thinking is what employers need so we need to be sure our students are skilled at it.”

– NANcy BARTOSEK STRINI

Learn more about how Dr. Anderson applies real-world concepts in class at txwes.edu/anderson

Cover Story

STuDENTS lEARN DuRING A TOuR Of TTI. Photos courtesy of TTI

WEB EXTRA


Every athletic training student at Wesleyan passes the required Board of Certification exam

before graduating — on the first try.

They all find a job in the field or get into graduate school, as well. The athletic training program educates and prepares students to become certified and licensed athletic trainers. Half of the students begin careers in allied health as athletic trainers after graduation while the other half go on to get graduate degrees in other health professions.

At least that’s been the case for the past four years — and there’s good reason to assume it’ll happen again this year.

Pam Rast, kinesiology chair and athletic training program director, credits the “rock star” students. Students say it’s the caring attention of the staff, faculty and preceptors who mentor them for hundreds of hours every semester.

Most likely, it’s the laser focus this tight-knit group has on academic and career success as they practice, teach and research the latest innovations in the field. The magic is hidden deep in that focus and the relationships they develop along the way.

Personal. Practical. Like half of the 20 students in the program, senior Katherine Rosenbusch is also a student-athlete — a practice prohibited at most other schools. Athletic training, with

its rigorous academics and 1,500 hours of clinical experience, is like carrying 15 credit hours and a part-time job.

“If I was in any other institution, I would not be able to do athletic training and play volleyball,” she says. “But here, they not only allow it, they work around your schedule when you compete. They really customize things.”

Rosenbusch needs them both: Volleyball provides scholarships, and the program is her future. She plans to be a physical therapist for the Wounded Warriors project and needs to get into PT school. And being a certified athletic trainer puts her well ahead of candidates who go the academics-only route because she actually works on patients.

For example, she was able to apply techniques she learned through evidence-based research she conducted in class on real patients during her PT clinical rotation.

“I was not only practicing new things and learning them better, I was also able to teach the preceptors something new,” she says. “So we got to talk about things that are just coming out, that are fresh. That was really cool.”

Preceptors are the working professionals who oversee the clinical experience. Students work alongside, which allows them to get real hands-on experience, Rast says. “The students are not just observers.”


Perfect Treatment A 100-percent pass rate on licensure exams punctuates the athletic training program’s successes.

By Nancy Bartosek Strini | Photos by Chuck Greeson

Athletic TrainersWhat they do: Evaluate, advise and assist individuals in their recovery from, or in avoiding, athletic-related injuries and illnesses, and helping athletes maintain peak physical fitness.

What they earn: A median salary of $42,090 a year. Texas’ average is among the highest in the country at $52,900.

Where they work: In every size and level of educational institutions; the performing arts; amusement and recreation industries, such as rodeos; and all areas of health care, including offices, clinics and hospitals.

Expected job growth (2012-2022): 21 percent

From the Bureau of Labor Statistics: bls.gov

Katherine Rosenbusch, senior


My Major

Mental. Physical. The small high school that senior Tabitha Evans attended hired its first athletic trainer last year, a move the former cross-country runner says is the trend.

“There’s a big push to have athletic trainers in every high school now, and even middle schools,” Evans says. “Anywhere there are people in contact sports, they need to have a health care professional there to care for them.”

With concussions and mental health in athletes such hot national topics, job opportunities are certain to increase. So Evans’ next step will be a master’s in sports psychology. Her experience is that athletic trainers are often pressed into helping with more than physical challenges.

“Athletic trainers spend so much time with the athletes, so you hear about a lot of problems,” she says. “And you’re the first person they want to talk to.”

She sees eating disorders, unwanted pregnancies, drug use and more. And of course there is “the whole issue of injury and adapting to that injury. All that falls under sports psychology.”

Prepared. In their senior year, students are assigned to one of the athletic teams. They essentially function as the athletic trainer for the team that year, Rast says. “You are supervised, but you’re making the decisions.”

They assess, treat, set up rehab plans and communicate to the coach. The last on that list is a key component of the Wesleyan experience, says Laura Kunkel, clinical coordinator for the program.

“We interviewed athletic trainers and they said the one thing they didn’t get as a student was learning how to communicate with a coach,” she says. “Our students get that in their senior sport.”

Kunkel admits the demands of the program can be exhausting, but for those who stick it out, the rewards are enormous.

“Many weed themselves out,” she says. “We’ve graduated some who probably wouldn’t have made it in a bigger program, and they are very, very good athletic trainers now. Without all that one-on-one attention, they probably would have fallen through the cracks.”

Did You Know?Athletic training is recognized by the American Medical Association as an allied health profession. Athletic trainers provide prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions. Other allied health professions identified by the AMA include physical therapy, occupational therapy, respiratory therapy, and physician assistant, to name a few.

Want to learn more about a degree in athletic training? Go to txwes.edu/athletictraining

WEB EXTRA

Kinesiology chair Pam Rast, senior Tabitha Evans and clinical coordinator Laura Kunkel


Rosedale Renaissance Groundbreaking Ceremony Hundreds came out Friday, Nov. 15, 2013, to kick off the beginning of the Rosedale Renaissance project, which includes the revitalization of the Texas Wesleyan community through improved streetscapes, a new clock tower and campus “front door,” the United Methodist Church Central Texas Conference Service Center, and the Jack Morton Business Accelerator Center housed in the former Polytechnic Firehouse.

Photos | Photos by Chuck Greeson1. Fort Worth Assistant City Manager Susan Alanis,

Fort Worth Assistant City Manager Fernando Costa, Tarrant County Commissioner Roy C. Brooks, Fort Worth Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem W.B. “Zim” Zimmerman, Texas Wesleyan University President Frederick G. Slabach, Fort Worth Councilman Dennis Shingleton, Fort Worth City Manager Tom Higgins

2. SGA President Kelsi Holland

3. Bobbie Roberts and Edna Anderson ’44

4. Tarrant County Commissioner Roy C. Brooks, Fort Worth Councilman and Mayor Pro Tem W.B. “Zim” Zimmerman, Texas Wesleyan University President Frederick G. Slabach

5. Louella Baker Martin HON ’03

6. Lee McConnell and Jimmy DuBose HON ’12

7. Catherine Daniell and Dr. Bill Koehler

8. Nick Martin HON ’03

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17 TXWES.EDU Wesleyan { 17 TXWES.EDU Wesleyan {

Brick Dedication Ceremony Have you left your mark on the Texas Wesleyan campus? New bricks in honor of graduates, family and mentors were placed in front of the Eunice and James L. West Library in a special dedication ceremony, Oct. 19, 2013.

Buying a brick for Texas Wesleyan directly supports the Wesleyan Fund, which provides institutional scholarships and program support for students.

Want to get a brick? Contact Gina Phillips ’97 MS ’07, director of development and alumni relations, at 817-531-4220, or donate online at txwes.edu/makeagift.

1. Oliviu Vasilca ’12

2. Della Harp ’13 and Eric Oglesby

3. Trent Sandles

4. Dr. Bill Morton, Katelynn Reed, Kelly Reed and Richard Reed

5. Richard Reed, Kelly Reed, Katelynn Reed and Dr. Bill Morton

6. Dedication brick in honor of President Frederick G. Slabach

7. Frederick G. Slabach

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High Endeavors

Photos | Photos by Chuck Greeson

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Fort Worth Business Hall of Fame Fort Worth business leaders honored Mike Berry, president of Hillwood Properties, as Executive of the Year at the 44th annual Fort Worth Business Hall of Fame at The Fort Worth Club, Oct. 3, 2013.

Texas Wesleyan, the Fort Worth Business Press and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event.

Berry joined Hillwood in 1988 and leads the development efforts for AllianceTexas, a unique planned community. Under his leadership, AllianceTexas has become a community that spans 32 million square feet and has 330 corporate residents and more than 31,000 employees.

Photos | Photos by Chuck Greeson

1. Ross Perot Jr. and Mike Berry

2. Felice and Marvin Girouard

3. Erica Estrada

4. Charles and Beverly Volkman Powell ’92, MBA ’99

5. Ross Perot Jr.

6. Nick Karanges, publisher, Fort Worth Business Press; Frederick G. Slabach, president, Texas Wesleyan University; Mike Berry, president, Hillwood Properties; Susan Halsey, chair, Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce; and Ross Perot Jr., chair, The Perot Group

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High Endeavors


Golf

Texas Wesleyan has a rich history in men’s golf but had never competed in women’s

golf. In the summer of 2012, Kevin Millikan ’98, assistant athletic director and head women’s golf coach, had to recruit an entire squad for a brand new program.

One of those recruits, Alexis Belton, a mass communication major, has proven to be an outstanding competitor, student, individual and ambassador for both Texas Wesleyan and the game of golf.

“The first time I met Alexis, her athleticism was obvious,” Millikan said. “She had a great golf swing, but she hadn’t yet posted the scores she knew she was capable of. With her personality and work ethic, however, I knew it was just a matter of time.”

She finished eighth in the 2013 Red River Athletic Conference Championship. She followed that performance by winning the 2013 PGA Minority Collegiate Golf Championship, an event that featured competitors from all levels of college golf.

Belton also shot a final round 74 in Port St. Lucie, Fla., to win by a single shot over UT-Pan American’s Samantha Garcia.

She also excelled in the classroom, where she holds a 3.2 GPA, but she wasn’t alone. The inaugural team was named an NAIA Scholar-Team, an honor reserved for teams that hold a minimum combined GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The Lady Rams easily met that requirement at 3.21.

Through the fall semester of her junior campaign, Belton owned seven of the top-10 individual rounds for a women’s golfer at Texas Wesleyan. On Oct. 1, 2013, she became Wesleyan’s first winner when she topped the field of 43 golfers at UT-Tyler’s Al Jones Memorial.

In the final round, she matched Texas Wesleyan’s single round record with a card of 73 to finish at 1-over par, two shots ahead of UT-Tyler’s Taylor Sloane. That performance paced the Lady Rams to a second-place finish and their sixth consecutive top-10.

Belton’s outstanding fall led the Lady Rams to their first-ever national ranking. Texas Wesleyan was rated 18 in the 2014 NAIA Women’s Golf Preseason Coaches’ Poll. In five events this fall, the Lady Rams posted four top-10 finishes.

In their second tournament of the season, the Rams posted a program record low round of 308 at Oklahoma City’s Susie Maxwell Berning Classic. They finished second at the Al Jones Memorial as well as the UT-Brownsville Ocelot Invitational, where Belton placed third individually.

Belton’s success comes as no surprise. A native of West Monroe, La., she has a very strong athletic background. At West Monroe High School, she was an All-State selection in basketball and was named Fellowship of Christian Athletes Female Athlete of the Year for northeastern Louisiana.

Belton had several offers to play NCAA Division I basketball, but her

passion was golf. “I had met the goal I wanted to in basketball, which was to have the chance to play Division I, but golf always presents a challenge,” Belton said.

Belton went on to play her freshman season at the University of Mobile where she posted three top-10 finishes.

Over the holiday break this past year, she was one of 15 individuals who participated in a mission trip with Athletes in Action Global Sports and College Golf Fellowship. After Christmas, Belton took her clubs and her faith on a two-week trip to Kenya.

In Kenya, Belton helped distribute golf equipment at several golf clubs and schools. The group hosted a tournament at Muthaiga Golf Club where they also put on a clinic for members and their children. She also helped lead a field day for the children at Soweto Academy in Kibera, Kenya.

“It was an awesome experience,” Belton said. “We played seven rounds of golf in 10 days, and got to play some beautiful courses with a lot of great people and share about our ministry and about golf.”

Not surprisingly, Belton is beginning to see her efforts recognized. In May, she will be inducted to the African American Collegiate & Youth Golfers Hall of Fame. Belton will be honored during the 28th Minority Collegiate Golf Championship at Bear Lakes Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.

– Josh Lacy

Alexis Belton shines both on the course and in the classroom.

Photo courtesy of Texas Wesleyan athletics

A Wesleyan Winner

20 } Wesleyan SPRING 201420 } Wesleyan SPRING 2014

Founded in 1984, the Sidekicks were one of the longest-running soccer franchises in the United States before closing operations in 2004. The team won league championships in

1987, 1993, 1998 and 2001, before resurfacing as members of the PASL in 2012. The PASL was founded in 2008, with 20 franchises across the country.

Milosevic’s signing gave him the opportunity to gain experience under the tutelage of a pair of indoor soccer legends, goalkeeper Sagu and head coach Tatu.

“From my tryout to signing, everything went very fast,” Milosevic said. “That first year I was still learning the indoor game and didn’t play a whole lot, but now I feel like I have been accepted, the numbers are there this season, and I’m having fun.”

On Saturday, Jan. 4, Milo’s Sidekicks traveled to Park City, Kan., to take on the Wichita B-52s at Hartman Arena. Milo recorded seven saves to preserve just the seventh shutout in league history in a 6-0 victory. The shutout was also just the ninth in the Sidekicks’ extensive franchise history.

Now the Sidekicks starting keeper, Milo is enjoying the indoor game. “As long as they want me here, I am happy. It is fun, especially when we are at home. We get good crowds and it is fun to play in that kind of atmosphere.”

A standout player from Belgrade, Serbia, Milo played two seasons for head coach Tyler Powell at Texas Wesleyan. He was a two-time All-Conference selection and was named Red River Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year following the 2011 season.

The following year, he led the Rams to the NAIA National Tournament. In the first round of the national tournament, the Rams traveled to seventh-ranked University of Mobile. Milo shut out a high-powered UM squad for 110 minutes before Mobile prevailed 7-6 on penalty kicks. That was one of six shutouts of the season for Milosevic who notched a GAA of 1.17 with 67 saves.

In his Texas Wesleyan career, Milo recorded an overall record of 21-12-5 with a GAA of 1.28. Last season he served as an assistant coach, while continuing to work toward his degree in business, and he helped the Rams to a 13-6-1 record, just one win shy of the school record.

– Josh Lacy

Milo Records Rare Shutout for SidekicksIn January 2013, former Texas Wesleyan University goalkeeper Dejan “Milo” Milosevic began his professional career with the Dallas Sidekicks of the Professional Arena Soccer League. This season, Milo made history by recording the first shutout by a Sidekicks keeper in the PASL-era.

Dejan Milosevic

Photo courtesy of Dallas Sidekicks

Photo courtesy of Jose “Little Joe” Valdez

Soccer


Athletics

Rams Pitch in for a Better WesleyanTexas Wesleyan is proud to be

one of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics’

Champions of Character Five Star Institutions. Wesleyan student-athletes are encouraged to get involved outside of the field of play as a crucial part of their development as leaders in the community.

College coaches are charged not only with winning but also helping student-athletes develop as individuals and helping to give them the skills necessary to succeed in life beyond their playing careers. The Champions of Character program helps coaches to define, model, shape and reinforce the five

character values of integrity, respect, responsibility, sportsmanship and servant leadership.

“In athletics, we believe that one of the greatest contributions we can make is service to others,” Steve Trachier, athletic director, said. “This starts with sharing our talents. Our coaches and athletes are constantly working with the youth in our community, giving free camps and clinics and serving as mentors and positive role models.”

Recently, Texas Wesleyan athletes have taken part in numerous community outreach projects, including a number of camps and clinics for children. Wesleyan student-athletes have been involved with Habitat for Humanity and taken part in heart walks. They have helped raise funds for organizations like Susan G. Komen for the Cure and Victory Over Violence. They have also developed strong relationships with local elementary school students.

This year, Trachier has challenged his coaches to get their teams involved on campus, as well. With the Rosedale Renaissance project in full swing, the timing was right to make a difference right here on the historic campus.

“We also believe in giving back to the community that supports us the most, our University,” Trachier said. “We are proud of Texas Wesleyan and its rich tradition of educational excellence. We want to support the

University’s mission to have a safe, clean and aesthetic campus. In an effort to support this mission, our athletes have volunteered their time to support our facilities department with campus cleaning and painting projects. Their volunteerism is congruent with the aims of the NAIA Champions of Character initiative, and we are very proud of their servant leadership.”

All 14 varsity teams have been involved with campus improvement projects this year. If you have been on campus, there is a good chance you have seen a student-athlete with a paintbrush, a rake or a shovel. They have painted, stained, sanded, raked and generally taken matters into their own hands as they work toward a better, more beautiful Wesleyan.

– Josh Lacy

Photos courtesy of Texas Wesleyan athletics


I am privileged to serve as the president of the Texas Wesleyan Alumni Association. The goal of all of us who serve on the Alumni Association board is to connect with you, the alumni of Texas Wesleyan.

It was exciting to see students, alumni, faculty and staff, ministers, city officials, and friends and supporters of the University come together for the Rosedale Renaissance groundbreaking in November. This community effort will revitalize our campus neighborhood and encourage local business growth for many years to come.

At December commencement, we celebrated the accomplishments of our new graduates. Each graduate was welcomed into the Alumni Association with a Texas Wesleyan alumni pin. It was an honor to participate in this ceremony and also to see the first class of Doctor of Education students from the School of Education graduate.

Coming back to Texas Wesleyan is like coming home. It is a place where friendships were formed, plans were made and good times were had. We would love to see all of you at the Alumni Reunion April 24-26. Reunion is a great time to reminisce and rekindle old friendships.

Texas Wesleyan graduates have found success both in Texas and around the world. However, what we accomplish in life is sometimes not as important as the legacy we leave for others. Please consider your legacy to help ensure the Wesleyan experience for future generations of students.

Come back, give back and get involved. GO RAMS!

Karen Cole ’99 MBA ’04 President, Texas Wesleyan University Alumni Association

Dear Fellow Alumni,

Don’t miss this year’s Alumni Reunion,

April 24-26.

Return to campus, reminisce about your days at Texas

Wesleyan and reconnect with fellow Rams. All alumni are invited, and we will honor the following milestone

anniversaries: 1954, 1964 (Golden Anniversary), 1974, 1984, 1989, 1994, 2004 and

2009. Hope to see you there!

More information online at alumni.txwes.edu/reunion

“

“

A gift to the Wesleyan Fund will go to work immediately to:

• Provide scholarships for talented and deserving students

• Develop and maintain academic programs and provide student support resources

• Provide teaching resources and funding for faculty development

• Support campus improvements and student life activities

One of the goals of the Wesleyan Fund is to increase the number of alumni who support Texas Wesleyan every fiscal year. Strong alumni participation is a valuable measure of Ram pride and satisfaction.

My parents taught me and my siblings the importance of service to others and giving back to the community. Texas Wesleyan has played such an instrumental part within my family that it is only natural that we give back to our alma mater. The University has given me not only a solid education but has also set an example of staying involved in the community.

— Joseph Ralph Martinez ’89

Texas Wesleyan University is my family.

Make yours today at txwes.edu/makeagiftTexas Wesleyan’s fiscal year runs from June 1 - May 31.

For more information on the Wesleyan Fund, contact Gina Phillips ’97 MS ’07 at 817-531-4220 or [email protected].

Thank you for your support this year!

Every gift matters.

The Wesleyan Fund


Charles Willett ’66 doesn’t remember the first time that he met Dr. William A. Ward,

but he still remembers the lessons he learned from him.

Ward who held many positions at Texas Wesleyan — including assistant to the president — was also a writer whose quotations and thoughts, “Think it Over,” appeared daily in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, were collected in books, and still pop up from time to time on calendars and greeting cards.

But the quotes that made the biggest impact are found in the letters he wrote to Willett.

Willett was shaped by his friendship with Ward. He received a master’s degree and became a successful educator and administrator in the Galveston area, mentoring students for more than 30 years. The example drawn by Ward stuck with Willett. Willett served as an administrator at Ball High School, logging more than 30 years of service before retiring in 1995.

“If I hadn’t gone to Texas Wesleyan,” Willett said, “I don’t know that I would have been where I am today.”

Like many Wesleyan students, Willett was a first-generation college

student. He grew up in a two-room house in Dallas. He saw himself as the average “Joe.”

But Wesleyan felt like a home. Everyone put the students first. Even the legendary President Law Sone felt like a friend. Willett thrived at Wesleyan, where he was a popular student and charter president of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity.

Willett, a lifelong Methodist, likens it to the classic hymn “Spirit of the Living God.” The lyrics — “melt me, mold me, fill me, use me” — are similar to the experience he got at Texas Wesleyan.

But even then, Willett and Ward’s friendship was unique. They corresponded for years, long after the point when Willett had students who looked up to him.

Willett’s friendship with Ward would continue well past his graduation and until Ward’s death in 1994, a perfect example of how Texas Wesleyan’s small, intimate atmosphere creates graduates who understand the importance of people, friendship and community.

When Willett moved back to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in the late ’90s, he realized just how much he

had saved from his friendship with Ward — letters, quotes, other notes — and he consolidated them into a binder along with proverbs of Ward’s he also saved.

“They meant something to me,” Willett said. “His friendship meant something to me.”

Like Ward, Willett has kept in touch with many of his students, oftentimes through a more modernized method — Facebook.

He still corresponds regularly with students he mentored over his 30-plus years in education. “It gives me joy,” Willett said.

In 1997, Willett returned to the metroplex, where he has been an active participant in alumni activities at Texas Wesleyan.

That includes helping out in admissions by calling potential students and being a Ram Wrangler. He knows what a difference his time at Texas Wesleyan made in his life, and he wants to share it with others. He wants to give back to the school that shaped him.

“Wesleyan taps into unknown resources,” Willett said.

Letters from a FriendAfter nearly 50 years, Charles Willett ’66 still

remembers his friendship with Dr. William A. Ward through five decades of correspondence.

By Darren White | Photo courtesy of Charles Willett


Alumni Stories

A Legacy of Excellence

By naming Texas Wesleyan as a beneficiary in your will or establishing a planned gift, you can provide long-term benefits for generations to come. To learn more about how your gift can make a difference in the lives of our students, contact:

Gina Phillips ’97 MS ’07 Director of Development and Alumni Relations

817-531-4220 [email protected]

Your planned gift benefits generations.

It is my pleasure to establish, upon my death, an endowed scholarship for students studying education or Christian studies for a career in the United Methodist Church. Dr. William A. Ward was my primary mentor from my days as a student until his death in 1994. I collected all of his books and many of his published quotes; some were original notes he mailed to me over the years. His quotes are examples of how he continues to influence my life:

“We can make tomorrow great by our wise and grateful stewardship of today.”

— Charles Willett ’66


Alumni News

1950s

Bobby Hill ’53 was recognized at the Lubrication Engineers Inc. annual sales meeting as the Comeback Player for Sales Achievement because of his

outstanding performance in 2012. In his 58 years with LE Inc., Bob has been recognized as one of the top producers a total of 24 times.

1970s

Bill Davis ’74 retired from Lockheed and opened his own business teaching concealed carry and NRA classes in Weatherford. His wife, Karen Davis ’77, received her master’s degree from TCU and teaches fourth grade at Fort Worth Country Day School.

Lyle Kanouse ’75 filmed Bad Teacher, a new sitcom in which he has a recurring role as the school janitor. He also started his 63rd film in Los Angeles called Sex, Death and Bowling and appeared as the lead in a film called Sweet Corn.

Mike Skipper ’78 recently produced and directed a workshop production of a new musical, Pure Country, which is based on the film starring George Strait. Mike’s son, Graham, starred in a new movie called Almost Human, featured at the Toronto International Film Festival in September. This film was selected along with three others to be featured at the Midnight Madness premiere, which introduces the festival’s top selections of the year.

Mark Ball ’79 M.Ed. ’87 is now the athletic director for Lubbock ISD.

Quentin McGown ’79 JD ’00 appeared as Jimmy in Hip Pocket Theatre’s production of Sassafras, Poppy Cock, and Prittleprattle with Lum and Abner.

1980s

Thanks to Jeffrey Yarbrough ’85, Texas Chicken Fried Steak Day was established. The holiday falls on Oct. 26. Read more on page 7.

1990s

Lisa Stephens Shelton ’93 co-wrote a Christian novel titled The Perfect Couple, which was released in October.

Goodwill Industries of Fort Worth Inc. transformed the dorm rooms of two deserving Texas Wesleyan students —Rolandra West and Ilksen Kirmizi. They designed the rooms to showcase that students do not need to spend hundreds on decorating their dorm rooms. Many thanks to the contributions from Goodwill, where David Cox ’94 serves as the president and CEO.

Robert Riza ’94 was named the new president of Clarendon Community College in the Texas panhandle. Prior to this position, he served as vice president of student services at Hill College.

Kathy Walker ’97 is proud to introduce her new granddaughter, Henley Rose.

2000s

Darrell Bartell ’00, actor, playwright and cancer survivor, completed his master’s degree in drama from Texas Woman’s University. He is a U.S. Army veteran and a former private investigator. Darrell received second place in the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation Inc. 2011 playwriting contest for his play When the Echoes Whisper My Name, a story based on several cases that he worked. He also took first place in OWFI’s 2013 playwriting contest for The First One-Hundred Days, which is about the first woman president of the United States. He currently has six short stories published in the anthology Out of Our Minds, which is available on Amazon.com as well as other e-book readers.

Sharna Wood ’00 recently presented at the National Alliance of Professional Psychology Providers conference in Las Vegas and was selected as the first female to serve on the executive board. In January, she assumed her duties including serving as chief editor of the national newsletter, The Clinical Practitioner, where she has been associate editor for almost two years.

Melinda Massie ’01 performed with the Fort Worth Opera as a lady’s maid in Daughter of the Regiment during its spring opera festival at Bass Hall last spring. In August, Melinda spoke about home organization at the Visions Women’s Expo at Dallas Market Hall.

Callie Vivion-Matthews ’02 JD ’06 was the recipient of the Dwight H. Moore 2013 Special Recognition (Attorney) award by the Fort Worth Clinic of Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas.


AlumniAlumni

Aaron Whaley ’03 and Dr. Rachel (Loftin) Whaley ’06 welcomed Everly Grace Whaley on Sept. 24, 2013, weighing 8 pounds, 9 ounces and measuring 20 1/2

inches long. Lisa Wilks ’04 MA ’07 is the proud grandmother.

Kaci Womack ’03 MBA ’06 welcomed Madison Brooke Womack into the world on Aug. 17, 2013.

Lindsey (Villa) Castro ’06 married Sam Castro on March 17, 2012.

Karen Pearson ’06 MA ’08 is now the director of care coordination for Mesa Springs Hospital in Fort Worth. She recently finished her LPC-S training and renewed her license in February. Karen also has a private practice in her spare time.

Marianne Horne Ed.D. MS ’07 displayed her most recent work at her art show at J.O. Design in October. The title of the exhibit is “Fleeting Glimpses and Frozen Moments” featuring everything from abstract to impressionistic works. Her piece, Steven’s Lake II, was inspired by photos taken in San Antonio. Wesleyan owns two of her pieces, one of which hangs in the Glick House and the other

is a ceramic interpretation of the Pieta. Marianne completed her doctorate on May 24, 2013, with her dissertation titled “Solution Art Finding Recovery.”

Ben Phillips ’09 appeared as King Arthur in Spamalot at Greater Lewisville Community Theatre last fall. He also provided the voice for the character Freed Sellzen in the animated series High School DxD, which was released on Blu-ray and DVD in August by FUNimation Entertainment.

2010s

Michael Kreitzinger ’10 was recently hired as a print model for Dickies Authentic American Workwear and also currently works at Ellerbe Fine Foods in Fort Worth.

Julie Murphy ’10 attended Wesleyan with plans of being a political campaign strategist and speechwriter, but she found success as a published novelist. She has written two novels and her third, Dumplin, is slated for publication in 2015. Read more on page 6.

Ashley Shetter MA ’10 presented “Superwoman’s Kryptonite” in October. She discussed the symptoms of superwoman syndrome and the steps a woman can take to heal from playing multiple roles and juggling family, careers and social activities.

Robyn Bone MA ’11 is excited to announce the birth of her daughter, Sophia Danielle, born July 8, 2013.

Courtney Lyles ’11 is a proud grandmother of future Ram Christian Hamilton Jr.

Susannah (Phillips) Sladek ’11 is the proud mother (and Gina Phillips ’97 MS ’07 the proud grandmother) of Reid Sladek, born on Aug. 13, 2013.

Jonathan Phillips MSNA ’12 is the proud father (and Gina Phillips ’97 MS ’07 the proud grandmother) of Madelyn Phillips, born on Oct. 18, 2013.

Cassandra Beltran ’13 played the role of Annelle in the Granbury Theatre Company’s production of Steel Magnolias last fall.


IN HONOR OF

“Friends” for the 2013 Holiday Season to the Wesleyan Fund George Ann Carter Bahan

“Friends” for the 2013 Holiday Season to the Wesleyan Fund Anne Street Skipper ’78

Dr. Betsy Alexander to the Tribute Scholarship Fund Stephen and Judith JD ’94 Alton

Dr. Linda Carroll to the School of Arts & Letters W. David and J.M. Wende

Jim Olney ’71 to the Wesleyan Fund Philip Thompson ’71

John H. Maddux ’59 to the John Maddux Jr. Endowment Fund Madelon Bradshaw

Anne Street Skipper ’78 and Scotty Dixon to the Tribute Scholarship Evan ’76 and Janie ’77 MA ’83 Faris

Frederick G. Slabach to the Wesleyan Fund Dr. Richard ’52 and Joan Hunt

Richard J. Lind ’04 and James M. Lind ’03 to the Tribute Scholarship Fund Barbara and John Lind

The Rev. Dr. Lamar Smith ’50 HON ’65 to the Wesleyan Fund Martha Carroll ’52

Randy and Patti Turner JD ’94 to the Tribute Scholarship Fund Stephen and Judy JD ’94 Alton

Catharine Wakefield ’39 to the Wesleyan Fund Sharon Allen ’67

Kamella Wheat ’10 to the Wesleyan Fund Connie Wheat

Bea, Roy, Sue and Jason Eubank; Luther McManus; MaryNell Pickle; Rodney Rudolph; Craig Smith; Joyce Smith; and Max Smith to the Tribute Scholarship Fund Karlee Wimberley

IN MEMORY OF

Jerry Alexander to the Tribute Scholarship Fund John ’59 and Linda Maddux

Carol Routt Austin to the Carol Corley Employee Library Fund Bob and Shirley Corley

James Bailey, my father, to the Wesleyan Fund Laura Bailey Arena ’10

Joe Bradley ’53 to the Johnnie Edwards, Dan Hart, Jim Bridges and Ray Jefferson Endowed Men’s Basketball Scholarship Fund Dorothy Baum ’53 Gerald Baum ’54

Jim ’54 and Helen ’55 Bridges to the Johnnie Edwards, Dan Hart, Jim Bridges and Ray Jefferson Endowed Men’s Basketball Scholarship Fund Dorothy Baum ’53 Gerald Baum ’54

Gene Burge ’54 to the Athletics Expansion Fund and the Wesleyan Fund Ann Burge ’54

Marty Clifford ’52 to the Johnnie Edwards, Dan Hart, Jim Bridges and Ray Jefferson Endowed Men’s Basketball Scholarship Fund Dorothy Baum ’53 Gerald Baum ’54

Alta Lewis Dollar ’66 to the Alta Lewis Dollar Endowed Scholarship Fund David Dollar ’85

Dr. Russell Floyd to the Wesleyan Fund Sharon Weeks ’92

Tim Russell ’64 to the Wesleyan Fund Wanda Russell ’64

Sargent Hill ’47 to the Tribute Scholarship Fund Sylvia Mandeville ’59

Dr. F.B. Huey to the Tribute Scholarship Fund Florine and Barker Chapman

Joe Martinez ’56 to the Wesleyan Fund Veronica Vasquez ’81

Richard O’Neal to the Carol Corley Employee Library Fund Bob and Shirley Corley

Herbert Owens ’64 to the Wesleyan Fund Diesta Owens

A.M. Pate Jr. and Sebert L. Pate to the Tribute Scholarship Fund The Pate Foundation

J.D. and Brunetta Pinkston to the Religion Department Fund D. Coulter Templeton Fund

The Rev. Sidney Roberts ’50 HON ’68 to the Wesleyan Fund Bobbie Roberts

Adam and Dr. Ron Reed to the Reed Memorial Endowed Scholarship Fund Ann Reed ’82 Jeremy Reed ’91

Tim Russell ’64 and the class of 1964 to the Wesleyan Fund Wanda Russell ’64

Jeff Sellers to the Wesleyan Fund Maudine Goodman ’73

Billy W. Sills to the School of Education Barbara Sills ’51

Bill ’50 and Janice ’50 Smith to the Rosedale Renaissance Campaign, The Rev. Dr. Lamar E. Smith Center Barry ’76 and Susan Smith

Bernice Coulter Templeton to the Art Department Fund D. Coulter Templeton Fund

Victor Mario Valdes ’51 to the Tribute Scholarship Fund Lorraine Valdes

Henry Whipp to the Tribute Scholarship Fund Tyla Holsomback ’95

Lou Zastoupil to the Johnnie Edwards, Dan Hart, Jim Bridges and Ray Jefferson Endowed Men’s Basketball Scholarship Fund Dorothy Baum ’53 Gerald Baum ’54

GIFTS IN KIND

Drs. Jim and Elizabeth Alexander Sidney Alexander Barry Baker ’84 Blue Mesa Grill Karen Cole ’99 MBA ’04 Martha Cole ’62 Martha Earngey ’77 Jan Fersing Syndi Hillberry ’86 Debra Maloy MHS ’91 Julie McCoy Paul Proffitt ’67 Dr. Stuart Rosenkrantz Anne Street Skipper ’78 Glen Tuggle ’85 Kathy Walker ’97 Jerry Wood ’69

Tribute Gift Recognition A gift to a charitable organization is a wonderful way to recognize someone of importance in your life. Texas Wesleyan is honored to receive gifts in memory or honor of alumni, faculty, staff, students and friends. These gifts acknowledge the relationship individuals have with the University and the community. We are pleased to recognize these gifts and the role each honored person and donor has in the lives of our students.

We gratefully acknowledge the following donors for their tribute gifts received from 8/1/13 through 1/31/14.

Tributes


In Memoriam

Wilson Canafax ’40 HON ’74 Nov. 7, 2013, Fort Worth

The Rev. Wilson Canafax was born Oct. 11, 1918, in Millsap. He attended grade and high school in Dallas, graduating from Woodrow Wilson High School. Wilson graduated from Texas Wesleyan in 1940 and received his Master of Divinity from Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. In 1974, he received an honorary doctorate from Texas Wesleyan. Wilson married Bernice Henderson ’40 on Sept. 4, 1942, and they began their ministry in the Haslet Charge with Keller and Saginaw. During World War II, Wilson served as a chaplain with the U.S. Army in Europe. During this time, he assisted pastors in the German Methodist Church and helped restore some local churches. Wilson was privileged to participate in the early life of Glen Lake Camp at Glen Rose. During his 60-year appointment, Wilson served the ministry with commitment and dedication. Wilson served in both the Central and North Texas conferences of the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church. He pastored at United Methodist churches in Fort Worth, St. Luke, Polytechnic, Couts Memorial in Weatherford, Hamilton, Cisco, McKinney, Commerce and Hurst. Wilson also served on the Texas Wesleyan alumni board and as director of the Conference Council on Ministries.

William Sargent Hill ’47 Oct. 1, 2013, Fort Worth

Sargent Hill was born March 31, 1921, in Fort Worth. He will be remembered as larger than life, with a magnificent and engaging personality that lit up any room. He will be remembered equally as a true patriarch to his extensive family and for his transcendent and limitless love for his wife, children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Dearly missed, his constructive and loving influence on the lives and hearts of those privileged to know him will stir within us forever. Sarge, as he was known to all, attended D. McRae Elementary School, William James High School and graduated from Polytechnic High School in 1938. He attended Texas Wesleyan and just prior to his junior year volunteered for the Army Air Corps as an instrument flight instructor. Upon completion of his military service, he returned to Texas Wesleyan and earned a bachelor’s degree in speech/drama. Sarge married his high school sweetheart, Frances Bales, on Nov. 30, one week before the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941. He received his master’s degree in business from Pepperdine University. He was an excellent pilot with a multiengine rating. He was also an avid golfer and loved to travel. Sarge read every Louis L’Amour book ever written. He was president of the Texas Wesleyan Alumni Association from 1971-1972 and was selected as Alumni of the Year in 1973. Sarge was the 274th recipient of the Guardian of the Golden Shears award on March 24, 1947. He enjoyed spending time at Hot Springs Village, Ark., with his family and grandchildren. He was a lifelong member of First United Methodist Church in Fort Worth and a member of the Masonic Temple.


1940sRaymond M. Talkington ’41 July 30, 2013, Carlsbad, Calif. After graduating from Texas Wesleyan in 1941, Raymond Maurice Talkington attended officer training at Northwestern University for the U.S. Navy. Ray served as a supply officer on an LST

during the invasions of Kwajalein, Eniwetok, Saipan, Tinian, the Palaus and Luzon. Upon returning from World War II, Ray met and fell in love with Mary Marshall, who had also served in the Navy during the war. They married in 1946 and settled in Hollywood, Calif., where they lived for more than 60 years. Together, they ran Ray M. Talkington Insurance Agency.

Mary L. Owen ’42 Nov. 23, 2013, BedfordMary Louise Alfrey Owen graduated from Texas Wesleyan in 1942. She worked toward her master’s degree at UT-Austin; she then worked as an executive secretary for a major oil

company. She met Samuel Phillips Owen when he was in flight school at Hicks Field during World War II. They were married for 45 years. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, a wonderful homemaker, talented pianist, artist and seamstress. She served as past president of Texas Wesleyan Women Exes.

LaVerne Camp ’45 Nov. 8, 2013, FriendswoodLaVerne Camp graduated from Texas Wesleyan in 1945. She celebrated 69 years of marriage with her husband, Dick. LaVerne was a faithful and devoted pastor’s wife, serving in many capacities in

Dick’s churches. She was known for her beautiful sewing and handwork, which she unselfishly created for her family and friends. Her most outstanding accomplishment to her family was her role as a wonderful mother and homemaker. William L. Hensley ’48 Sept. 5, 2013, HoustonWilliam “Bill” Lee Hensley graduated from Texas Wesleyan in 1948. He then began a brief career as a Methodist minister. After leaving the ministry, Bill pursued a career in accounting with a specialization in tax. He enjoyed all types of literature, politics, travel, music, volunteering, helping those in need and spending time in fellowship with his family. Bill was married to Margaret (Simmons Gray) for 48 years.

1950sVictor Mario Valdes ’51 Nov. 6, 2012, Mansfield Victor Mario Valdes received a bachelor’s degree in art from Texas Wesleyan in 1951. Victor was an accomplished Texas artist and shared his skill of art with others

as an educator. He received his master’s in education from Texas Woman’s University and retired from Fort Worth ISD in 1992. He also enjoyed painting, reading, traveling and sharing stories of his many adventures, and he was the happiest when he spent time with family and friends.

Rady G. McCormack ’56 Aug. 12, 2013, MansfieldRady G. McCormack served in the Coast Guard prior to graduating from Texas Wesleyan with a teaching degree in music. He retired from Fort Worth ISD after a

career as a band director and music and chorus teacher. Rady was skilled behind the sewing machine and created elaborate clothing. He also enjoyed square dancing, traveling and camping. He was a member of Meadowbrook United Methodist Church and sang in the choir.

Patricia Renfro ’58 Sept. 14, 2013, GrahamPatricia “Pat” Hagler Renfro received a Bachelor of Science in business from Texas Wesleyan in 1958. She was a devoted stay-at-home mother for years and began

her career at Bell Helicopter Textron in 1974. She started as a steno, working her way up to MRP specialist at the time of her retirement in 1997. In 1977 she married Charles O. Renfro. They shared 20 years together before his passing in 1997.

1960sBobby W. McDowell ’60 July 27, 2013, Hope, Ark.Bobby McDowell received a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from Texas Wesleyan.

Clyde W. Stratton ’60 Aug. 2, 2013, CarbondaleClyde W. “Bill” Stratton served in the U.S. Army Air Corps in World War II and then graduated from Texas Wesleyan in 1960. He worked 34 years for Southwestern Bell Telephone. Bill was

preceded in death by his beloved wife of 60 years, Nada P. Stratton.

Gibbs M. Slaughter ’62 Aug. 30, 2013, Fort WorthGibbs Mood Slaughter Jr. graduated from Texas Wesleyan in 1962. He was a respected boatman and inventor of specialized fiberglass materials for the

marine industry. Gibbs served in the Air Force Reserve and was owner/operator of Slaughter Marine Company and Gibco Flex-Mold Inc. He was a member of Lake Country Church, Fort Worth Boat Club and the Eagle Mountain Classic Boat Club.

H.A. Owens ’64Sept. 17, 2013, New BraunfelsHerbert Arden Owens Jr. graduated from Texas Wesleyan in 1964. He retired from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram in 1994, where he held various writing and

editorial positions. He then moved with his wife to New Braunfels to become an antique junkie. Everyone loved him and his witty sense of humor, especially the funny nicknames he would give people. “He never looks for praises, he’s never one to boast and he just goes on quietly working for those he loves the most.”

Jeannine C. Van Noy ’64Dec. 9, 2013, Fort WorthJeannine Crill Van Noy received her bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan in 1964 and her master’s degree from University of Texas at Arlington in 1969.

She loved teaching and taught English for 30 years. In 1981, Jeannine began teaching at Tarrant County College and retired from TCC’s Northeast Campus in the summer of 1993. After retirement, she enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, volunteering and working with her dogs. Jeannine touched many lives during and after her career in teaching, and she was a favorite of her students wherever she taught.

Junille W. Shepardson ’66Aug. 31, 2013, RocklandJunille “Juni” Glenda Wieting Shepardson received a Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas Wesleyan in 1966, a Master of Religious Education from Southern

Methodist University in 1971 and a Master of Divinity equivalent from Bangor Theological Seminary in 2001. Juni officially retired from the ministry in 2008, but she had the opportunity to serve two more congregations. Since her childhood, Juni enjoyed making music. She directed the John Street UMC choir in Camden and played percussion for the Midcoast Community Band. Juni collaborated with her longtime friend to write a book about the band, titled … And the Band Plays On.

Mary K. BlessingDec. 30, 2013, Fort WorthMary Kathryn Blessing attended Texas Wesleyan until 1966. Her true passion was music. Mary impacted hundreds over a lifetime of musical service. Mary was a

member of the AGO-Fort Worth Chapter and served in many choirs and choruses. Mary was a staff accountant with Bell Helicopter Textron for 42 years. She was a master of showing appreciation with her kind words at just the right moment or dropping a card in the mail to celebrate or pick one up.

In Memoriam


1970s

Gilbert T. Martinaz ’70Nov. 16, 2013, The WoodlandsDr. G. Terry Martinaz received a Bachelor of Science from Texas Wesleyan in 1970. He went on to earn his Master of Religious Education in

1972 and a Doctor of Educational Ministry in 2004 from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Terry actively served in Christian ministry for 38 years. He was minister of education at Hillcrest Park Baptist Church in Arlington, First Baptist Church of White Settlement and First Baptist Church of Madison, Miss. In 2005, he moved to The Woodlands and began his work as a consultant to churches representing LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention.

Eldon R. Hager ’71Sept. 21, 2013, San AntonioEldon Hager received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan in 1971 and a master’s degree from Texas Christian University. He began his career as the

social action director of Catholic Charities for the Catholic Diocese of Fort Worth. He went on to work for the International Catholic Migration Commission and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. He lived and worked, often accompanied by his wife, throughout much of Asia and Africa.

John E. Miers ’73Oct. 20, 2013, AledoDr. John Edward Miers received a bachelor’s degree from Texas Wesleyan in 1973 and then earned a Doctorate in Osteopathic Medicine from Texas College of

Osteopathic Medicine in 1977. While in medical school, he married Linda Harrison, his beloved wife of 39 years. John maintained his medical practice on the corner of Eighth Avenue and Magnolia for more than 20 years, until he retired in 2012. Thousands of babies met Dr. Miers in their first moments of life. John acquired a lifelong love for baseball from his father. Following this passion, he supported youth baseball, Texas Wesleyan baseball, and was a dedicated Texas Rangers fan.

Susan K. George ’74Oct. 1, 2013, Kilgore Susan George graduated from Texas Wesleyan in 1974. She taught in the Kilgore Independent School District for 32 years and was a member of CTA. She was

an avid hunter and enjoyed fishing, working in the yard, and spending time with her family and friends. Susan will be missed by all her loving family and friends.

Jack N. Martin ’76Sept. 10, 2013, Fort WorthJack Martin graduated from Texas Wesleyan in 1976. Jack retired from the city of Fort Worth, and he will be missed by many nieces, nephews, family and friends.

1980s

Richard R. Rutter ’80Dec. 29, 2013, Euless Richard Roman Rutter Sr. left high school to join the Navy. Shortly after enlisting, World War II ended and he returned home to finish high school, serving as senior

class president and lettering in wrestling. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Army where he served proudly and honorably for 25 years. In setting an example for the importance of continued education, he achieved his lifelong ambition to earn a college degree. Richard earned a Bachelor of Arts in business from Texas Wesleyan in 1980. In 1953 Richard married the love of his life, Alfreida Sturges, in Dallas. They were happily married for 56 years. During this time, they traveled the world with their four children, providing them with many wonderful cultural experiences.

John E. Johnson ’82Nov. 28, 2013, San Antonio Dr. John Johnson, M.D., graduated in 1982 from Texas Wesleyan with a Bachelor of Science in chemistry. He earned his medical degree from the University of Texas

Medical School in Houston. He enjoyed 15 years of private practice in Lake Jackson before moving to San Antonio in 2006 and practicing at Texas Med Clinics. John touched many lives. He loved his patients and they loved him. His love of golf was equal to his love of medicine.

2000s

Joseph P. Rodriguez ’01Aug. 12, 2013, Fort Worth Joseph Paul Rodriguez III received a Bachelor of Arts from Texas Wesleyan in 2001. He was a law enforcement officer with the Arlington and Benbrook

police departments. Joseph later became a crime analyst consultant. He was also a member of the Shriners.

Bob Bolen HON ’87Jan. 6, 2014, Fort Worth

Robert “Bob” Eugene Bolen was the former mayor of Fort Worth and received an honorary degree from Texas Wesleyan in 1987. After a year in college, he served in the U.S. Navy as a gunnery officer aboard the USS Iowa. He returned to A&M and earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration in 1948. Soon after obtaining his degree, Bob joined McCrory’s Variety Store and eventually worked as a store manager. Bob met Fran Ciborowski, who was a native of Syracuse, while he was working there. Bob and Fran began dating even though there was a company policy that prohibited employees from fraternizing. According to legend, their socializing included several trips to basketball games where it was necessary for Fran to sit on the floor of Bob’s car to avoid detection as his accomplice in exploring the city sights! By the time Bob was transferred to Fort Worth in 1951, they were already engaged. The Bolens were wed in Syracuse on May 3, 1952. In 1953, Bob and Fran began lifelong business ventures that included Bolen’s Toy Palace, Bolen’s Bike World and, eventually, multiple Hallmark card stores throughout the state of Texas. Bob began his tenure as a councilman in 1979 and was elected the mayor of Fort Worth in January 1982. With his vision, his consensus-building and his love for the city, he became a transformational leader in city government for the next 3,400 days.


{Charles Willett ’66 admits that he was “Joe Average” when he was at Wesleyan. But that

was before Professor Carl Schrader’s German class back in the ’60s, where he was introduced to Black Forest cake.

“Dr. Schrader took us all to a German restaurant, which was a very special treat for me,” Willett recalls, still mentally savoring his first bite of the cherry-drenched delight and the exciting experience of an unusual restaurant meal nearly 50 years later (see Willett’s story on page 24).

No, cake didn’t change his life, but Schrader’s caring, involved type of teaching did. Today, the gastronomic connection continues — since returning to the area in recent years, Willett and Schrader have lunch together about once a month.

“How many professors does anyone know that 40 or 50 years after graduation still stay in touch with their students?” Willett asks. “I am not the exception. Dr. Schrader has shown a lot of care for a lot of students, especially former athletes.”

Tommy Elliott ’76 is one of them. Elliott was a teacher and coach with the Fort Worth ISD until his retirement last year. Now he is the assistant baseball coach at Southwest Christian School.

“Carl [Schrader] embodies what Wesleyan is all about,” he says. “Small classes and one-on-one opportunities with your professor. You felt like you were the only one in there because he had this amazing ability to connect. He really cared.”

Elliott also remembers a dinner out with Schrader that left a big impact: Schrader took him and another ball player to a “fancy steak dinner” in

Dallas. “Being a local kid, it felt like going to New York City,” he says.

“A lot of baseball players took his classes,” he says, noting that Schrader attended most of the home games. “He would make a point to comment about our individual performance. He wasn’t there just to show up, but he knew how well we were doing on the field.”

Schrader’s influence inspired Elliott to major in English rather than physical education. “I spent 36 years in the classroom and I really, really enjoyed teaching. If he hadn’t cared, I might have gone another route.”

Schrader shrugs off all the praise in his typically humble way, noting that a story about students who received the athletic scholarship he sponsors would be much more interesting. “They’ve gone on and done well,” he says, noting that his only regret is that he has lost track of at least a few students.

“I wish I knew where all the students are now and how they are doing,” he says. “We had a lot of good students.”

Schrader notes he’s been incredibly blessed. In addition to teaching, he’s been a Presbyterian minister for 50 years and is still serving at the First Presbyterian Church in Crowley. That faith has always been a driving force in his teaching.

“I feel like what I believe and what I taught was an example to others,” he says, noting that Wesleyan’s intimate size is perfect for influencing students. “[The faculty at Wesleyan] all tried to meet the needs of students and help them individually as well as in the classroom. They would come to us to ask advice. That’s the advantage

with a small school. We see them in the classroom, at organizations and in the lunchroom.”

Elliott agrees but says Schrader was exceptional — the best among the best.

“The thing is, he stayed in contact over the years,” Elliott says. “He’s not just a distant memory. That deep voice and all those memories come flooding back.”

Share your stories about Professor Schrader with us at [email protected].

Teaching by ExampleProfessor Carl Schraderis still rockin’ the Wesleyan way. By Nancy Bartosek Strini

Did you know? Professor Emeritus Carl Schrader:• Taught German one year,

then English

• Sponsored a scholarship for athlete with the highest GPA

• Was founding faculty advisor for Alpha Phi Omega and former sponsor for Sigma Tau Delta, Alpha Chi and Sons of Sakkara

• Is an emeritus member on the Alumni Association board

• Received Honorary Alumni Award in 2012

• Awarded Order of the Golden Rule by students several times

• Is a Presbyterian minister

• Standing member of the informal First Friday Lunch group of alumni and faculty

The Last Word

Tamlyn Wright works internationally as a freelance scenic production designer and art director for television, theatre, corporate events, theme parks and feature films. Live televised entertainment has been her main focus for the past 14 years. Some of her projects include the Academy Awards, Emmys, Grammys, MTV Movie Awards, Kennedy Center Honors and the 2004 Democratic National Convention.

Tamlyn is a four-time Emmy winner for art direction for the Academy Awards and the Grammys. Additionally, she has been honored with four Art Directors Guild Awards for her work on live tele-events. Tamlyn earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in theatre arts from Texas Wesleyan in 1992. She then returned to her native Los Angeles where she received her MFA in scenic and costume design from California Institute of the Arts.

Jennifer Oliver Henderson is a marketing communications specialist with nearly 20 years of experience in public relations, brand development, marketing, communications, social media and graphic design. Since founding J.O. in 1998, Jennifer has focused on providing strategic marketing campaigns that deliver results for clients in a variety of industries. Prior to J.O., Jennifer served as the director of communications at Texas Wesleyan University and was responsible for overall strategic marketing and planning for the school. Henderson is also the founder of a new nonprofit, The Cause Agency, and sits on the board of Tarrant County Blue and Botanical Research Institute of Texas. Her professional achievements include “40 Under 40” awarded by the Fort Worth Business Press in 2008, Texas Wesleyan University’s Alumni Service Award in 2012 and the recipient of more than 100 local to international design awards. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas Wesleyan University in 1996.

The School of Arts & Letters is proud to honor its inaugural class of

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI during Reunion Weekend

Jennifer Oliver Henderson ’96

Tamlyn Wright ’92

Jennifer Oliver Henderson Tamlyn Wright

Please join us for a reception on Thursday evening, April 24, from 5:30 to 7:30 at Lou’s Place, as we celebrate the careers and ongoing service of these two exceptional honorees.

Applause

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